Sir Paul made NYPD detective

Sir Paul McCartney last toured America in 1993

Sir Paul McCartney has been made an honorary New York Police Department detective.

He was awarded the honour on his return to the city's Madison Square Gardens venue on Friday, where he previously performed an emotional tribute to the victims of the World Trade Center attacks.

The ex-Beatle revealed to the audience that he had received the honour from officers who had visited him backstage.

Sir Paul wrote a song after the death of his friend John Lennon

"So whoever is smoking that stuff I can smell, I am going to bust you," the 59-year-old joked.

Sir Paul played tributes to his late wife Linda and Beatles bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison, during the highlight of his first American tour since 1993.

The biggest cheer of the night came when he performed Here Today, the song he wrote after Lennon's murder in New York.

Sir Paul earlier revealed it was the song fans had reacted to most throughout the acclaimed 19-city Driving USA tour.

'Emotional'

"A lot of the audience do not know the song so it is kind of cool when they hear it for the first time," he said.

"I am rediscovering it myself. I had not sung it live until this tour. It is quite emotional. It is a reaffirmation of how much I love him."

For his farewell to Harrison, who died in November, Sir Paul played his bandmate's classic song Something.

I have this vision of me aged 90 being wheeled on and very slowly doing Yesterday

Sir Paul McCartney

He also performed My Love, which he wrote for his wife Linda when they formed the band Wings. She died in 1998.

Sir Paul refused to comment on rumours that he will return to New York in June for his planned wedding. But he dedicated a song to fiancée Heather Mills.

On the concert's play list were 21 Beatles pop classics, including Hey Jude and Can't Buy Me Love, which he performed in front of giant pictures of the Fab Four on their first United States tour in the 1960s.

He also played 10 Wings numbers.

But the show climaxed with the world's most covered song, Yesterday, followed by Sergeant Pepper and The End.

Keep rocking

"I have this vision of me aged 90 being wheeled on and very slowly doing Yesterday," Sir Paul said.

"I am getting towards the age of retirement, which is kind of embarrassing - but I have always said if people do not come to my show I will do it as a hobby.

"As long as I can do it, I am going to keep on rocking."

Sir Paul dedicated a song to his late wife Linda

Sir Paul described the current tour as "pure fun".

"It really feels like a party to me," he told the New York Post.

"We are pacing it the way I like."

But he added that he was also looking forward to playing for the Queen at Buckingham Palace as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations on 3 June.

"I like the Queen. She is great. She and the late Queen Mother are the most loved people in England.

"You cannot say that about everybody in the Royal Family these days."